“Tools of the Trade” – TEMPTATION [17 out of 17]

August 31, 2016buildafoundation Leave a comment

Below are five tools we’ll want to have in our “spiritual tool bag” to help us navigate over, through, around, or to avoid life’s temptations.

1) OUR THOUGHTS: What we think about is critical!!

Philippians 4:8 – Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
And in Romans 12:2 – Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

2) PUT ON ALL OF GOD’S ARMOR:

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s way of living. For shoes, put on the Gospel of Peace so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Accept God’s salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. – Ephesian 6:10-18

armor_of_god_

3) BALANCE :

– If our minds are filled to the rim with the latest TV shows, music and all the rest the culture has to offer, we will be bombarded with messages and images that may lead to sin.

slide_brain_learning_remebering
– When we balance the good from our culture with what is taught in the Bible, we’ll enjoy life to the fullest, and we will be ready for any temptations that are thrown at us.

Stack of Stones --- Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. – Colossians 3:2

4) THE WORD OF GOD:
– This is our best defense against temptations.
Remember when Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert, His defense was to quote Scripture, Matthew 4:4-10, which caused the devil to leave Him.
– God’s Word will make me wiser than my enemies, Psalm 119:97-98

5) PRAYER:
– Peter was told to – watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. – Mark 14:38
– In the “Lord’s Prayer” we pray, lead us not into temptation – Matthew 6:13
– If we find ourselves in a tempting situation and seek God’s guidance, He won’t allow us to be tempted more than we care bear, and He will provide us with a way out from the tempting situation. – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Equipped with God’s Word, and His Spirit within us, know that you are much more powerful than any destructive ideas Satan tries to throw at you.

KNOW AND BELIEVE Paul’s powerful words in Romans 8:31, and Romans 8:38-39 —

If-God-is-For-Us

-nothing-can-separate-you-from-his-love

** THIS CONCLUDES MY SERIES ON TEMPTATION. IF YOU’VE MISSED ANY OF THE PREVIOUS POSTS SEE THE LINKS BELOW :)**

What Gives You the Willies?? – TEMPTATION [1] – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-vx

Stay ALERT!! Have a PLAN!! – TEMPTATION [16] – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-CC

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Would you like to have a personal/intimate relationship with the God?? Take a look at the tab, The Cornerstone…, in the menu for more info.
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A great resource for Bible verses, Bible Topics, Commentaries, etc. – http://www.BibleGateway.com

Where Can I Find… Encouragement, Inspiration, Comfort, Conviction???

August 25, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

Below is a small sampling of Bible verses my friend, Paula, emails to me daily. She sends verses to me because she knows that God’s Word has the power to encourage, inspire, comfort, and convict me.

If you enjoy these verses, if they encourage, inspire, comfort, and/or convict you, there are plenty more for you to read on my page, The Bricks.., see the menu above.

Would you like to have a personal/intimate relationship with the God?? Take a look at the tab, The Cornerstone…, in the menu for more info.
If you would like to receive notifications when new posts are published, click on the FOLLOW button in the sidebar. Or if you are viewing from your mobile device, scroll down the page and you’ll see the FOLLOW blog via email button 🙂
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Take a look at the other tabs in the menu for encouragement and inspiration as you continue to BUILD A FOUNDATION!!
A great resource for Bible verses, Bible Topics, Commentaries, etc. – http://www.BibleGateway.com

Blessing and Being Blessed :) – Joy in Serving – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 2a) [4]

May 4, 2015May 18, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

Paul defines serving in Philippians 2:3-4. He says,

DON’T be selfish

DON’T live to try and make a good impression on others
DON’T think only about your own interests, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing

DON’T think that you are better than other people, be humble

I think Paul’s definition is interesting. Instead of telling people to do, do, do, having a what’s in it for me attitude, we’re told instead, don’t, don’t, don’t. Reinforcing others before ourselves. Reinforcing that we will experience joy through serving. Through sacrifice and humbling ourselves. As we bless others, we are being blessed in ways we would never have thought possible.

HERE’S AN EXAMPLE MY FRIEND, SARAH (NOT HER REAL NAME), SHARED WITH ME —

Sarah began bringing over meals to Pam (not her real name), who was diagnosed with cancer. Pam shared with Sarah how much her efforts meant to her and her family. She’s receiving healthy food, aiding in her recovery, as well as quality time with Sarah.

As a result of Sarah’s willingness to give her time to Pam, she has also been blessed. She’s learned to prepare delicious looking, and tasting, vegan food. She’s also found a confidant who has prayed with, and for her, as she’s going through her own emotionally difficult trials.

Although Sarah and Pam’s pain/suffering, are different, both woman have been blessed by each other in ways they could never have imagined. They may never have connected in this way if it weren’t for the pain/suffering each woman is experiencing.

Sarah put her own issues aside to care for her friend. And in her opinion, has been blessed far more than she’s been a blessing. And I bet if I talked to Pam she’d have the opposite response – Sarah has been far more of a blessing to her, than she’s blessed Sarah.

Isn’t following God’s ways interesting? 🙂

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In the last two posts, we learned that we can experience joy in suffering, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-mF, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-no.

As we begin to look at experiencing joy in serving, we see that suffering and joy are sometimes connected. Pain/suffering is something God promises to go through with us, Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. – Psalm 23:4

We have an opportunity to serve and bless others, and in turn be blessed. Allow God to use your pain/suffering to make a difference in someone’s life.

2 Corinthians 1:4 —-

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Heal My Illnesses Lord…

March 31, 2015March 31, 2015buildafoundation 1 Comment

Lately, there seems to be more and more people who have been diagnosed with cancer. More and more people who are battling various strains of the flu, cold viruses, and a variety of other diseases. More and more people generally feeling “not quite right”.

The breakdown of the physical body was never God’s intention. When Adam and Eve lived in Eden, all was perfect. They were physically strong and healthy. It was not until they gave into the serpent’s, Satan’s, temptation – choosing to eat the fruit God commanded them not to, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” – that life, as they knew it, began to crumble.

…their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. – Genesis 3:7
…they hid from the Lord God – Genesis 3:8
women would feel the pain of their pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. – Genesis 3:16
men would now be working in pain all their lives, to get food and survive – sweating from dawn to dusk – Genesis 3:17
Then, the Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden… – Genesis 3:23

Thankfully God, because of His love for us, put into motion a means by which we can be saved. And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife. – Genesis 3:21 This verse foreshadows Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for all humanity, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life – John 3:16

< If you would like to know how you can have a personal/intimate relationship with God, our creator, the creator of everything, take a look at my tab in the menu – The Cornerstone… http://wp.me/P5nZpi-bJ >

THERE IS HOPE – for there will be a time when God will be among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. And He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. – Revelation 21:3-4

Until that time comes, God has given us many verses in the Bible. When we pray back the Word of God, we are praying according to His Will. And God promises, …that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. – 1 John 5:14

< For more on praying and seeking God’s will, see my post, I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does God Answer Me?? – (Part 1 of 3) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-hK >

Below are some verses to get you started. Pray one, or all of these, throughout your day and experience for yourself hope, healing, encouragement, and comfort.

May the Lord bless you
    and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
    and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
    and give you his peace. – Numbers 6:24-26

**For more encouraging boards see my tab – The Mortar… – http://wp.me/P5nZpi-7R**

If you would like to receive notifications when new posts are published, click on the FOLLOW button in the sidebar. Or if you are viewing from your mobile device, scroll down the page and you’ll see the FOLLOW blog via email button 🙂
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I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 3 of 3)

March 18, 2015March 25, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

In my last two posts, I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 1), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-hK, and I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 2), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-i5, we’ve been talking about seeking God’s guidance through prayer.

Part 1 touched on our human tendency to put God into “our box”, how to know what God’s will is for us, and whether or not God answers our prayers. To illustrate this, I used an example of choosing between two colleges. Part 2 touched on whether or not God is answering our prayers because we still have so many unanswered questions. In Part 3 we’ll be answering the question we left off with from Part 2 –

HOW SHOULD I PROCEED THEN?

When you feel a prompting to further investigate, or clarify a question, go for it! When you’re just doing “your thing”, and suddenly a thought comes to mind, this could be God prompting you. Investigate 🙂

God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. – Job 33:14

Keep this in mind, questioning doesn’t mean your ideas, or desires are bad choices. Instead, seeking and receiving answers to your questions will give you clarity and a sense of peace, enabling you to take steps forward.

So proceed in the direction you feel most led towards. And trust that God will “shut the door” if it’s the wrong choice, and “open the door” to the right choice …the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me. – 2 Corinthians 2:12

WARNING: Do Not attempt to force open a closed-door. Trust that God will “open the ‘right’ door” for you. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full – John 10:10

The more you actively seek God’s guidance, and follow His promptings, the more confidence you’ll have in God. Know in your mind and your heart that He will show up to guide and direct you in all your decisions. No decision or circumstance is too big, or too small for God.

EXPECT AND LOOK FOR GOD’S ANSWER TO YOUR PRAYERS:

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. – Psalm 17:6

FOR PARTS 1 & 2 SEE: I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 1) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-h, and I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 2) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-i5

If you would like to receive notifications when new posts are published, click on the FOLLOW button in the sidebar. Or if you are viewing from your mobile device, scroll down the page and you’ll see the FOLLOW blog via email button 🙂
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I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 2 of 3)

March 17, 2015March 25, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. – Psalm 34:17

In my last post, I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 1), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-hK, we were left with this unanswered question: HAS GOD ANSWERED THIS STUDENT’S PRAYER?

ANSWER: This is an interesting question, and my answer would be YES! No, God did not come out and say, “College “B” is the school I’ve chosen for you, if you go there everything will be perfect.” However, God is guiding this student towards clarity.

IS GOD ANSWERING MY PRAYER EVEN THOUGH I STILL HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS, AND FEEL SO UNCERTAIN?

Sometimes in life there is not a definitive answer, but more than one good option. For example, I have the choice to pick chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla ice cream. If I choose vanilla, is that wrong? Or if I choose strawberry, am I right? No, all three flavors are great choices, it’s just a matter of which I’d prefer.

There are times, however, when there is a clear right and wrong choice. For example, the drinking age is 21 years old, and I am 18 years old. I choose to drink even though it’s against the law. Clearly a wrong choice.

God has given people free will. And exercising our free will enables us to make decisions based on our preferences. When we are actively seeking God’s will, He will help us think through our options to determine the best fit for us. By allowing us to do some of the “leg-work”, guided by His promptings, we will feel more confident that the decisions we make are inline with God’s will for us.

Important to Remember: What is good for one person, may or may not be good for you, or me. Every person’s journey through life is unique to them. As unique as their fingerprint.

This is why it is so important to seek God’s will. He created us, and He has an awesome plan for our lives. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11

HOW SHOULD I PROCEED THEN?

For the answer to the above question, take a look at: I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 3), – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-ij and, I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 1) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-h

If you would like to receive notifications when new posts are published, click on the FOLLOW button in the sidebar. Or if you are viewing from your mobile device, scroll down the page and you’ll see the FOLLOW blog via email button 🙂
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I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 1 of 3)

March 16, 2015March 25, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

You’ll notice that I highlighted in line with His will. This is a key point because often times we like to put God in “our” box.

We like to tell God what we want, when we want it, and how we want it. After all, if God is listening to us, we can be sure that He will give us what we ask for.

Maybe you have this type of thinking when it comes to God? Check out this video…

EXCEPT, when what we want is not in line with His will.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT GOD’S WILL IS?

When praying, tell God that you desire to know His will. That you want what He wants. That you know He loves you and has your best interest in mind. …we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. – Romans 8:28

The promise of answered prayers can be claimed by anyone who loves God. Meaning they’ve put their trust in Him, and obey what He teaches them in the Bible. They’ve allowed God to transform the way they look at situations, people, the culture, the world …let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. – Romans 12:2

IF ALL THIS IS TRUE, THEN WHY DOES IT SEEM THAT GOD IS NOT ANSWERING MY PRAYERS?

One thing I’m certain of is that God doesn’t always answer our prayers in clear-cut/black-and-white way. Sometimes He might be saying wait, sometimes yes, sometimes no, and other times He may be urging us to question or refine our requests.

LET’S USE AN EXAMPLE – A Student Choosing Between Two Colleges

Student –

“I don’t know which college to attend. I’ve been accepted to two. I like both. Both offer great/unique programs. I will pray to God and ask Him which college I should go to.”
“I feel uneasy. Should I choose College “A” or College “B”? I’ve been praying, yet all I have is more anxiety and more unanswered questions.”
“I feel like I’d like to attend an Open House at each of the schools to get a feel for the campus and students.”
“I feel like I should call the schools to clarify options for extra curricular activities that would compliment my chosen major.”
“I’ve discovered today, that taking courses towards a minor in ______ vs. ______ would be a better fit with my major.”
“I’ve submitted applications for scholarships, and received one from College “A”. Still waiting on the results from College “B”.
“There are students that I’d like to room with, and took the necessary steps for that to occur.”

HAS GOD ANSWERED THIS STUDENT’S PRAYER?

FOR THE ANSWER TO THE ABOVE QUESTION, BE SURE TO CHECK OUT: I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 2) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-i5for the answer to this question, and I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 3) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-ij

HINT: For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. – Job 33:14

If you would like to receive notifications when new posts are published, click on the FOLLOW button in the sidebar. Or if you are viewing from your mobile device, scroll down the page and you’ll see the FOLLOW blog via email button 🙂
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